Litchfield, CT, Lakeview High School Graduate Luke Pesce, 19, Passes Away, Leaving His Loved Ones!!!

The town of Litchfield, Connecticut, is reeling from the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Luke Pesce, a 19-year-old young man who passed away following a tragic accident while on a long run. His death has sent waves of grief through his family, his school community, and the many lives he touched during his short but meaningful time on earth.

Luke was a 2025 graduate of Lakeview High School, where he was known not only as a dedicated long-distance runner but as someone whose warmth and sincerity made a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.

He ran alongside teammates through the hills of Litchfield, forging friendships that stretched from middle school all the way through graduation last year. For those who ran beside him, his absence is something they are still struggling to comprehend.

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Those who knew Luke describe him as a genuine, kind-hearted young man. He loved God, had a passion for mathematics, and had a simple joy for things like sharing a pizza with the people he cared about.

But perhaps most defining of who he was at his core was the love he had for his three younger siblings, Leah, Jonathan, and Ethan. He was a caring and attentive big brother, the kind who showed up in the small moments and made those around him feel seen and loved.

His aunt, Kathleen Sallen, who organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to help the family cover funeral and burial expenses, captured the family’s pain simply and honestly.

“His kindness and sincerity brought so much love to our family,” she wrote, “and his absence is deeply felt by everyone who knew him.”

Within hours of its creation, the fundraiser drew over 110 donors, a testament to the reach of Luke’s quiet but profound impact on those around him.

A Community Rallying in Grief and Gratitude

The outpouring from the Litchfield area has been immediate and deeply moving. Community members have shared memories of Luke online, with one local woman recalling how her own son ran alongside Luke from their middle school days all the way through their graduating class at Lakeview.

“This is absolutely heartbreaking,” she wrote, echoing what so many others are feeling. The bond formed through years of shared runs, early mornings, and long miles made Luke a fixture in the lives of many young people in town.

Local emergency services were involved in the response following the accident, and the family has extended their gratitude to the Harwinton Volunteer Fire Department, Connecticut State Police, Thomaston Police Department, and Waterbury Police Department for their efforts during an unimaginably difficult time.

A visitation service is being held this Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. at Rowe Funeral Home, where family, friends, and community members are invited to come together to pay their respects and offer condolences to those who loved Luke most.

Luke Pesce was 19 years old. He had just begun his life beyond high school, full of possibilities. Those who knew him say the world was better for having him in it, even for the time they had. His family asks for continued prayers and support as they navigate the painful road ahead.